Status
Checked out
Publication
Beacon Press (2015), 296 pages
Description
Journalist Deborah Jian Lee ventures into the world of progressive evangelicalism and tells the stories of the young women and men--LGBTQ and straight; white, black, Asian, Hispanic, and indigenous--at the forefront of a movement that could alter both the face and the substance of religion in the United States.--From publisher description.
User reviews
LibraryThing member hjvanderklis
Stereotyped as single subculture in American Christianity, Evangelicals show many faces. They are often characterized by their belief in four main tenets of the faith: the authority of the Bible, salvation through Jesus Christ, the importance of a personal relationship with God, and the imperative
Social conditions influence the church, and vice versa. The same goes for the role of women in churches, ministries and schools. Is there really freedom in Christ and acknowledge that both men and women are made in God's image? Will you follow David Platt's position that God barrs women from leadership? Do you identify with Saddleback Sam? Discover the roots of Religious Right, learn how Christian Universities and churches deal with birth control, homosexuality, keeping their IRS tax-exempt status, poverty and social injustice.
Lee interviewed a bunch of young people, white, black, Asian, and Hispanic, as well as straight and LGBTQ, believers and their struggles to accept themselves, feel truly loved and accepted by fellow believers and seek truth in God's Word, whether it's on homosexuality, celibacy, interracial community building or politics. The typical evangelical church seems to have more members of the NRA than people advocating for immigration reform. How biblical is that? Is the homogeneous unity, likeminded flock together in their kind of church, sustainable? Or will the changes the new generation of evangelical believers foresee gain enough substance to awaken the Church at large and reform it from within, without getting trapped in the same pitfalls this book so clearly identifies of the established American Evangelical churches?
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to share the Gospel. Upon this foundation different spiritual buildings were made. Looking at denominations and their policies, church order or official standpoints don't tell the whole story. Many identify as nondenominational or postdenominational. One of Evangelicalism's pitfalls is to claim exclusive rights to the truth and the true version of a Christian life. For a journalist and drifting evangelical, Deborah Jian Lee there were more than enough personal and professional reasons to delve into the changes challenging strongholds in the evangelical culture and politics. Rescuing Jesus: How People of Color, Women, and Queer Christians are Reclaiming Evangelicalism is the result. The book takes touches the still sensitive topics of being Democrate or Republican, racism and gender discrimination.Social conditions influence the church, and vice versa. The same goes for the role of women in churches, ministries and schools. Is there really freedom in Christ and acknowledge that both men and women are made in God's image? Will you follow David Platt's position that God barrs women from leadership? Do you identify with Saddleback Sam? Discover the roots of Religious Right, learn how Christian Universities and churches deal with birth control, homosexuality, keeping their IRS tax-exempt status, poverty and social injustice.
Lee interviewed a bunch of young people, white, black, Asian, and Hispanic, as well as straight and LGBTQ, believers and their struggles to accept themselves, feel truly loved and accepted by fellow believers and seek truth in God's Word, whether it's on homosexuality, celibacy, interracial community building or politics. The typical evangelical church seems to have more members of the NRA than people advocating for immigration reform. How biblical is that? Is the homogeneous unity, likeminded flock together in their kind of church, sustainable? Or will the changes the new generation of evangelical believers foresee gain enough substance to awaken the Church at large and reform it from within, without getting trapped in the same pitfalls this book so clearly identifies of the established American Evangelical churches?
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LibraryThing member wademlee
The author takes each of the three titular groups (racial minorities, women, and queer-identified christians) and weaves together both a longitudinal look at broad social and ecclesiastical changes in each and the personal stories of a few representative individuals. The books is dividing into
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thirds, and each third covers all three groups, so you return to the personal profiles and advance the chronologies every 3 chapters or so. The author includes a bit of self-reflection (as she identifies with two of the demographics) but there is no overarching 'summative' or 'unitive' chapter that attempts to bring it all together. A good read. Show Less
LibraryThing member whoizme8
This book by Jian Lee shook up my thinking. It was not a pleasant read but one that should be read by Christians to help them understand issues that we may very well have not faced or thought deeply about. The question is, if all people are created by God, if all people are children of God, if all
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" "To Whoml It May Concern" and "Tell Me About the United Methodist Church"
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people are made in the image of God - these people (LGBTQ), which I could not have told you what the letters stood for before, are also created by God, are children of God, and are made in the image of God. And, if you have gone this far a series of deep questions we must ask ourselves and the answers to these questions may determine how we profess and act on our Christianity in the future. I can't say I enjoyed the book, but it is well worth the read even for those who disagree.J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" "To Whoml It May Concern" and "Tell Me About the United Methodist Church"
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LibraryThing member mtbearded1
For me, the key to this book is the verb tense in the title. By using the Present Progressive (or Present Continuous), the title indicates an on-going effort, not something that has been achieved. Certainly the efforts of those heroes in the book fighting against the homophobia, racism and misogyny
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in the evangelical church are waging an uphill battle, albeit one that may be won through attrition as the elder, straight, white men currently leading the evangelical church die off. In this report from the front, as it were, Deborah Jian Lee tells the stories of a remarkable group of people who, despite their own battering by church authorities have found ways to remain active members and warriors, doing their part to "rescue Jesus" and hold onto their faith. I am reminded of the words Frederick Rolfe puts in the mouth of his protagonist George Rose in his novel Hadrian VII. In answer to the archbishop's question if Rose has lost patience with the faith, Rose responds "Not with the faith, but with the faithful." This was indeed my response as I lost patience with those who surrounded me in the faith I was raised with, and where I finally dropped out to preserve my own sanity and integrity, the people that Debbie Lee follows have not. An important work that I recommend highly to any and all concerned with the fate of the church in America and the political response the church is making to today's most pressing civil problems. Show Less
LibraryThing member jlhowson
An engaging overview of how Evangelical Christians are reclaiming Jesus from fundamentalism. Three sections broken out into three topics - race, gender and sexaul orientation - provide an overview of movements within the evangelical church to approach christian faith addressing these topics. Well
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written, and fascinating to those outside the evangelical movement - helps explore the variety of positions, movements, and opinions within a group often considered monolithic and united, Show Less
LibraryThing member cheetosrapper
I am not quite sure how to handle this book. While some interesting topics were discussed I feel that I disagree with the ultimate conclusion. I think another reading at a slower pace is in order.
LibraryThing member mrsfiskeandco
This is an interesting book but I felt the author tackled too much to be particularly effective. These are three different issues and while running into "tradition" and "church politics" may be similar I felt perhaps she should have chosen one group issue and devoted her book to just that. I also
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felt her personal opinion occasionally got in the way of good journalism of just reporting the story. The people profiled are very sympathetic but perhaps it would have worked better not focusing so much on individuals but the issue at hand and with commentary from a larger group of people from the three groups as there can be a very diverse range of opinions even within each of the three communities. Show Less
LibraryThing member psychomamma
I really enjoyed this book. As a white evangelical Christian, I can't help but feel ashamed sometimes of what I represent - too white, too patriarchal, too homophobic. That's not me, of course. But it's way too much of the evangelical culture, in my opinion. A member of my family once told me I
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"could NOT be a Democrat and a Christian - such a contradiction was impossible". I'm so glad this kind of thinking is becoming a part of the distant past, and this book details the decline of this kind of thinking. May this movement toward racial, gender and LGBTQ equality continue. Show Less
LibraryThing member JJMcDermott
Deborah Jian Lee's book combines personal stories (her own and those of other people) with analysis of larger developments in evangelical Christianity in America around the issues of race, gender, and sexuality. She also provides occasional historical background to better understand how evangelical
The personal stories give an optimistic outlook on people's ability to change. Lee tells of evangelicals of color, female evangelicals, and LGBTQ evangelicals facing lack of understanding and outright hostility from their churches. The individuals in this book found a way to hold on to their faith while challenging their churches and schools. At key moments they were able to change the views of people around them.
The book shows evangelical leaders and institutions being much slower to change. That will come as a surprise to no one, but the book holds out the hope that the younger generation of evangelicals will change their churches.
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Christianity developed its current views on these issues.The personal stories give an optimistic outlook on people's ability to change. Lee tells of evangelicals of color, female evangelicals, and LGBTQ evangelicals facing lack of understanding and outright hostility from their churches. The individuals in this book found a way to hold on to their faith while challenging their churches and schools. At key moments they were able to change the views of people around them.
The book shows evangelical leaders and institutions being much slower to change. That will come as a surprise to no one, but the book holds out the hope that the younger generation of evangelicals will change their churches.
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LibraryThing member BookWallah
Like many others here, I had a hard time wrapping myself around this book. The case study examples of women, minorities, LGBT within the evangelical church were interesting to read, but I was less clear about where she wanted to take it. It felt like there was need for another final chapter to tie
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it all together. Show Less
LibraryThing member rswright
Full disclosure: I would be one who falls with the broader spectrum of Jain-Lee's conservative evangelical movement. Jian-Lee's book gives some good insight as to why many that have grown up within the modern-day Evangelical movement are finding themselves moving away from but it is not for the
Her examples of how those in conservative evangelicalism, being painted with a very large & wide brush, do ring true within sub-sectors of the conservative evangelical movement, yet she never states the positive sub-sectors in the same movement. in the end, Evangelicalism is not being reclaimed (as stated in the subtitle) but is progressively transformed apart from the Scriptures she quotes as proof-texts vs. in context.
I could recommend this book to my conservative evangelical friends to cause them to be more mindful (along with myself) as a reminder that Evangelicalism is about the Gospel- the life, death & resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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reasons stated in this book. The author admits to her moving into a Progressive direction and the reasons she states, through interviews with others in the same dilemma, are but red herrings to the truer issue. Although race, LGBTQ, Complementarian/Egalitarian, and Feminism are put out there as the issues in the conservative movement she (and others) grew up in, at the heart of the issue is not the Conservative or Religious Right; in the end, it is her view of the authority of the Scriptures and whether or not they are Inerrant. Her examples of how those in conservative evangelicalism, being painted with a very large & wide brush, do ring true within sub-sectors of the conservative evangelical movement, yet she never states the positive sub-sectors in the same movement. in the end, Evangelicalism is not being reclaimed (as stated in the subtitle) but is progressively transformed apart from the Scriptures she quotes as proof-texts vs. in context.
I could recommend this book to my conservative evangelical friends to cause them to be more mindful (along with myself) as a reminder that Evangelicalism is about the Gospel- the life, death & resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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LibraryThing member psychomamma
The title of this book caught my eye, because I think as evangelical Christians, we are not doing a great job of integrating marginalized groups and being inclusive. But I found myself skimming this book, it didn't completely engage me, and I'm not sure why. I wanted to like it, and we sure need
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more books on the topic. But first, I feel like the people who NEED to read this book won't read it. And I don't know that they'd get it if they did. Show Less
LibraryThing member KLmesoftly
Despite the off-putting title this was an interesting, enlightening read - that said, it feels like a "first book" and has some issues with structure/content.
The good:
- a historical look at the formation of the "Religious Right" as political voting bloc.
- an overview of present-day progressive
The bad:
- meanders; rather than presenting each set of interviews in its own section (evangelical racial justice advocates, feminists, and LGBT advocates), the author has chosen to jump between the three almost at random.
- not a lot of insight into the theological arguments these activists use; the book is written as though it's a foregone conclusion that the readership agrees with the author's religious beliefs and political viewpoints (and sees both as complimentary already). I hesitate to use the phrase "preaching to the choir" in a review for a religious book, but it fits!
- it's light; the most interesting sections to me are the historical ones, but the author never really goes into real depth there. Same with the present-day activism and communities pieces - unfortunately the bulk of the book is spent on a few individuals' stories and personal journeys of discovery and self-acceptance, rather than anything that speaks to the evangelical church as a whole.
The topic is really interesting - I'd like to see something meatier on it in the future.
The good:
- a historical look at the formation of the "Religious Right" as political voting bloc.
- an overview of present-day progressive
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evangelical groups and activism efforts. The bad:
- meanders; rather than presenting each set of interviews in its own section (evangelical racial justice advocates, feminists, and LGBT advocates), the author has chosen to jump between the three almost at random.
- not a lot of insight into the theological arguments these activists use; the book is written as though it's a foregone conclusion that the readership agrees with the author's religious beliefs and political viewpoints (and sees both as complimentary already). I hesitate to use the phrase "preaching to the choir" in a review for a religious book, but it fits!
- it's light; the most interesting sections to me are the historical ones, but the author never really goes into real depth there. Same with the present-day activism and communities pieces - unfortunately the bulk of the book is spent on a few individuals' stories and personal journeys of discovery and self-acceptance, rather than anything that speaks to the evangelical church as a whole.
The topic is really interesting - I'd like to see something meatier on it in the future.
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LibraryThing member Kristinah
I rather enjoyed parts of this book. Lee was able to show how people of minority are trying to be a part of modern Christianity but I also feel that there could have been more to the book. The book is titled How people of color, women, and queer Christians are reclaiming evangelicalism, but I do
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not feel that she exactly told how they are reclaiming evangelicalism. Yes, there were people of color, women and queer Christians in the book, and she spoke of their hardships but I felt like there could have been more detail. Show Less
LibraryThing member atdCross
I give this book 3 stars for two reasons (1) it made me more aware of conservative evangelicalisms attitude, as a whole, as perceived by the liberal, progressive Christian culture, and (2) it has made me more sympathetic to the concerns of progressive liberal Christians.
That doesn't mean I agree
As I read it, this book seems to explicitly challenge conservative evangelicals (particularly white) to hear the other side - the liberal, progressive evangelical - and to acquiesce to it's position accepting them as genuine Christians and, therefore, opening the doors of their churches to their participation in the Christian community. The author seems to suggest that this is what is happening in any case and, sooner or later, a change that the conservative evangelicals must embrace if they are to be spiritually and culturally relevant.
Whatever position you hold, whether you are progressive or conservative (but especially the latter) this is a book that should be read, in particular, by conservative evangelical pastors; and not necessarily to persuade a change of mind as to one's theological, Biblical, and cultural views but more to gain a better understanding of how the attitude and actions of the conservative white evangelical community has affected others and to gain a more sympathetic ear to the complaints of Christian liberal progressives.
This may be a book that annoys those who are already firmly and uncompromisingly settled with a theological or cultural attitude that resists change or, at least, seeking understanding. If your one of those kind of evangelical conservative Christians, then I hope you will allow yourself, at least, this once to be annoyed and read this book.
That doesn't mean I agree
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with the views held by the author - there are many theological positions the author takes of which to strongly object without apology - but it does mean I appreciate her perspective and, more importantly, the insights provided regarding the church's attitude she perceives (not altogether unjustified) within white conservative evangelicals towards people of color, women, and queer "christians."As I read it, this book seems to explicitly challenge conservative evangelicals (particularly white) to hear the other side - the liberal, progressive evangelical - and to acquiesce to it's position accepting them as genuine Christians and, therefore, opening the doors of their churches to their participation in the Christian community. The author seems to suggest that this is what is happening in any case and, sooner or later, a change that the conservative evangelicals must embrace if they are to be spiritually and culturally relevant.
Whatever position you hold, whether you are progressive or conservative (but especially the latter) this is a book that should be read, in particular, by conservative evangelical pastors; and not necessarily to persuade a change of mind as to one's theological, Biblical, and cultural views but more to gain a better understanding of how the attitude and actions of the conservative white evangelical community has affected others and to gain a more sympathetic ear to the complaints of Christian liberal progressives.
This may be a book that annoys those who are already firmly and uncompromisingly settled with a theological or cultural attitude that resists change or, at least, seeking understanding. If your one of those kind of evangelical conservative Christians, then I hope you will allow yourself, at least, this once to be annoyed and read this book.
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LibraryThing member jwpell
I have mixed feelings about this book. It started dry, with a too-personal feel to it: that of an author who fell in with Evangelicals, then "got better." There was a lot of complaining by this or that minority individual about the horrors of associating with Evangelicals, attending an Evangelical
Later in the book, the author finally builds into demonstrating that some Evangelicals are making headway with remaining that kind of Christian while still bringing about change. Expanding opportunities for POCs. Bringing Christian colleges to the recognition that there are multiple possible theologies surrounding gayness, and that insisting on certain positions regarding sexual identity is inexcusably damaging to the individual Christian. Getting increased recognition for certain toxic elements of Evangelicalism, particularly their attitudes toward women and their roles. So in the end, I guess it was a hopeful book, and became an interesting book.
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school, the ways that Evangelical campus organizations froze out certain minority voices (women, POCs, gays). And through all that I found myself thinking, "well, duh. Of course that's the way they are. You don't like it, don't associate with them!" But then, I don't understand the appeal of Christianity, never mind Evangelicalism, to anyone. Some of the material in the book was, frankly, a series of tidbits confirming my biases against Evangelicals and their organizations.Later in the book, the author finally builds into demonstrating that some Evangelicals are making headway with remaining that kind of Christian while still bringing about change. Expanding opportunities for POCs. Bringing Christian colleges to the recognition that there are multiple possible theologies surrounding gayness, and that insisting on certain positions regarding sexual identity is inexcusably damaging to the individual Christian. Getting increased recognition for certain toxic elements of Evangelicalism, particularly their attitudes toward women and their roles. So in the end, I guess it was a hopeful book, and became an interesting book.
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LibraryThing member InfoQuest
As a former evangelical (turned progressive Christian), I suppose I'm more or less the target audience for this book, and I've read plenty of others, similarly observing problems in contemporary evangelicalism and methods for changing or resolving those issues. So the fact that I felt this book
I will second, however, the many comments by others that a conclusion seemed to have been lacking. In fact, I turned the last page expecting to find just such a chapter and instead finding acknowledgments. I suppose the style of mingling narrative with observation and analysis (similar to a long-form journalistic piece) meant that Lee was summing up as she went, but there wasn't really the sort of takeaway/call to action that I was expecting.
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didn't contribute much new to the conversation may simply be that I'm overexposed to this type of reporting/commentary on the movement, rather than a flaw of the book itself. I will second, however, the many comments by others that a conclusion seemed to have been lacking. In fact, I turned the last page expecting to find just such a chapter and instead finding acknowledgments. I suppose the style of mingling narrative with observation and analysis (similar to a long-form journalistic piece) meant that Lee was summing up as she went, but there wasn't really the sort of takeaway/call to action that I was expecting.
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LibraryThing member lessthn3
So many of the anecdotes in this book were relatable to me, a queer woman who grew up in the Southern Baptist Church. The author recounts a great sampling of experiences of people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ people with the church, switching between their stories in the different chapters. I
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enjoyed learning more about these people's experiences and came away from the book feeling encouraged. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2015
Physical description
296 p.; 6.3 inches
ISBN
0807033472 / 9780807033470